Iran’s Asiatic Cheetah Population Rises to 20, Says Department of Environment + Video

Hamid Zahrabi, Deputy Head of Iran’s Department of Environment, elaborated on the latest status of the Asiatic cheetah in a press conference today and announced the resumption of major projects related to the conservation of this valuable species.

At the beginning of his remarks, he pointed to the foundational actions taken by the department, stating: “One of our first measures was to assemble a team of experts and formulate a comprehensive plan. This plan includes one-year, five-year, and twenty-year phases, providing a clear framework for advancing the goals of Asiatic cheetah conservation.”

Revival of the Cheetah Conservation Project After Six Years of Suspension

Zahrabi continued: “The Asiatic Cheetah Conservation Project, which had unfortunately been suspended for about six years, has now been reactivated. To improve the quality of this project, we have employed experienced experts and undertaken effective measures in training, care, and monitoring. Of course, there is still a long road ahead and much work remains to be done.”

He also referred to one of the major concerns among media and environmental activists—the danger posed by roads to cheetahs—and stated: “The issue of road safety, which has been pursued for years, has been resumed. Our colleagues at the Semnan Provincial Department of Environment have selected a contractor for this initiative, and implementation is currently underway.”

Failure to Collaborate with Ministry of Roads; Progress in Cheetah Breeding Facility

Zahrabi further expressed regret over the unmet expectations from the Ministry of Roads, adding: “Unfortunately, the necessary cooperation from the Ministry of Roads did not materialize. However, serious steps have been taken in organizing the cheetah breeding facility. Our specialized staff, trained in Africa, are now stationed at the site. The center is now up-to-date and fully standardized, and with the necessary equipment, professional efforts in cheetah reproduction are in progress.”

Public Participation and Inter-Provincial Coordination: Keys to Success

The Deputy Head of the Department of Environment emphasized that public participation is vital in conserving this valuable species, and noted that participatory projects have been defined in several regions across the country. He added: “In addition to implementing conservation programs, we have also held coordination meetings between provincial managers and the central headquarters. These sessions, attended by university representatives, NGOs, and experts, have created appropriate cohesion in inter-provincial activities.”

Reduced Road Speeds and Police Cooperation

Zahrabi also mentioned the steps taken to reduce road-related threats, announcing the final approval of speed reduction and installation of warning equipment: “Thanks to the follow-ups of a certain doctor, her direct involvement, and the cooperation of the Ministry of Roads and the Traffic Police, effective measures have been taken to reduce vehicle speed in cheetah crossing areas. Illuminating routes, installing warning signs, and other supplementary actions are also underway.”

Drafting a National Biodiversity Strategy

In another part of his remarks, Zahrabi discussed macro-level planning on national biodiversity: “We submitted the Asiatic Cheetah Conservation Plan for approval to the Supreme Council of the Environment. In this council, it was proposed that a comprehensive national biodiversity strategy be developed, of which the cheetah would be a part. Following this suggestion, a task force consisting of academics and specialists was formed, and numerous sessions have since been held. The program under development encompasses various biological aspects of the country and is expected to be highly effective.”

He added: “In the past, we had prepared a five-year program for the deputy office, but now we are formulating a nationwide comprehensive plan that incorporates international experience, global indicators, and domestic field studies.”

Number of Identified Cheetahs Reaches 20

At the end of the press conference, Zahrabi shared significant news regarding the number of identified cheetahs in Iran’s wild: “Until recently, we had announced the presence of 17 cheetahs, but in the past two to three months, three new individuals have been identified that had not previously been captured by cameras. It is likely that these are cubs who remained out of sight of the cameras after birth. The number of identified cheetahs has now reached 20 individuals.”

He concluded by noting: “There are also six cheetahs in captivity who are usually not included in the overall statistics. Including two mothers with cubs, the effective population of cheetahs in the wild remains low, requiring more serious attention and broader support.”